PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE - Welcome to Mater Dei High School! Since opening its doors in the autumn of 1961, it has been the goal of the administration and faculty of Mater Dei High School to educate each student - academically, spiritually, and physically - in a friendly, supportive environment characterized by understanding and sensitivity. In order to do this, Mater Dei offers students a well-balanced curriculum to challenge their minds, a wide variety of extracurricular activities to expand their horizons, and a climate of appreciation for Christian values to foster their spiritual and moral growth. Recognizing the values of individual differences, our administrators, faculty, students, and parents are ever aware that community can be created from diversity when an atmosphere of respect and responsibility exists in the school. In one of his many welcoming messages to students, Monsignor Robert T. Bulman, the founder of Mater Dei High School, remarked: "Somewhere recently I read: 'We are God-created, but self-molded.' To accomplish this we are given love, spiritual leadership, divine and natural laws to help us shape our lives by our own decisions. The success of high school years, and the joys too, depend on how well we use these gifts. Your drive and enthusiasm, your optimism and realism will help you achieve your goals in life." To our young students, may you continue to be guided by these words and the motto of Mater Dei High School - "Faith and Fortitude!" The commitment to strive for excellence is the greatest gift you can give to your parents, your school, and, most importantly, yourself. Frank Poleski, Jr. Principal

HISTORY - Mater Dei High School is a Catholic co-educational high school located on a 32 acre campus in Middletown, New Jersey. Founded in 1961 by Monsignor Robert T. Bulman, Mater Dei is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and is an active member of the National Catholic Education Association. Mater Dei draws students from over 30 parochial, private, and public schools in Monmouth and Middlesex Counties. Mater Dei provides a personalized education in a small school environment. The school intentionally has an average enrollment of over 400 students in grades nine through twelve. This enables Mater Dei to effectively nurture and support its students and create a caring community that focuses on providing students with a quality high school experience. Mater Dei is committed to preparing today's students for successful futures by challenging minds with a strong academic curriculum, expanding horizons with a diversified extracurricular program, and strengthening values through an active Christian community.

ADMISSIONS OVERVIEW - Admission to Mater Dei High School is based on more than test scores. We are interested in motivated individuals who will benefit from the parochial educational environment. The Admissions Committee reviews each application individually and considers all available information about the applicant. Mater Dei welcomes applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin in its admission or administrative policies.

PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATION GOALS - To help parents and teachers acquire a profound appreciation of the ideal of Catholic Education. To advance Catholic Education and the welfare of the children in the school. To promote a clearer understanding of the mutual educational responsibilities of parents and teachers. To encourage the home and school to cooperate in discharging their responsibilities. To study the neighborhood environmental conditions which influence children's behavior. To help parents explore strategies to solve child behavioral problems.

DIRECTIONS - From the Garden State Parkway North Take the Garden State Parkway North to Exit # 114 -- Middletown/Holmdel Make a right at the light at the exit Turn left at the next traffic light. (Van Schoick Road) Go straight to Route35 South Turn right (south)onto Route 35 South. (NOTE: There is a turning lane before the main intersection). Drive 1/10 of a mile to the next jughandle which is marked "New Monmouth / North Middletown". Cross over Route 35 onto Cherry Tree Farm Road. Go straight through two traffic lights. Mater Dei High School is located on the left just beyond the second traffic light (¼ mile) From the Garden State Parkway South: Take the Garden State Parkway south to Exit #117 -- Hazlet (NOT Exit 117A) Proceed onto Route 35 South, driving through the towns of Hazlet and Holmdel. After several miles, on the left side of the road you will pass the Holmdel Shopping Center. Get in the right lane and look for a jughandle marked "New Monmouth" (Target Store will be on your left – jug handle is on your right) Cross over Route 35 onto Cherry Tree Farm Road. Go straight through two traffic lights. Mater Dei High School is located on the left just beyond the second traffic light (¼ mile). From Route 35 North: Take Route 35 North to the Tindal Avenue exit. Bear right on Tindal Avenue toward New Monmouth. Go straight at the traffic light (New Monmouth Road). Entrance to Mater Dei High School is approximately ¼ mile ahead on your right. From Route 35 South: Take Route 35 South to Cherry Tree Farm Road (right hand jug handle) Cross over Route 35 onto Cherry Tree Farm Road. Go straight through two traffic lights. Mater Dei High School is located on the left just beyond the second traffic light (¼ mile).